Tool holder

ABSTRACT

Tool holders are disclosed herein that include a cradle portion including a first pocket and a second pocket, the first and the second pockets being configured to suspend a hand tool by a first end and a second end of a head of the hand tool. The tool holder further includes a locking mechanism adapted to secure the hand tool within the first and the second pockets, a release mechanism adapted to open the locking mechanism to enable a user to lift the head of the hand tool from the cradle portion, and a mount adapted to enable a user to attach the tool holder to a worn item.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not applicable

REFERENCE REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable

SEQUENCE LISTING

Not applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Background

The present invention relates generally to tool holders for hand tools, and more specifically, to tool holders adapted to safely secure hand tools carried therein.

2. Description of the Background

Hand tools including, for example, striking tools, such as hammers, axes, hatchets, and picks, and cutting tools, such as knives, and the like, are in many circumstances frequent use tools that are used often, and thus, are required to be carried by a user in a manner that allows for easy access to the tools. Tool boxes and tote trays and the like are adequate for some users, however, such devices must be carried by hand and are unwieldy and impractical on many job sites. Thus, many users prefer to wear their tools in tool belts and similar tool holders, such as scabbards, sheaths, and the like.

Many approaches have been employed to enable users to wear hand tools. For example, one tool holder has a holster-like case with a pocket for receiving the tool formed by the handle and tool head. Additional pockets may be included to accommodate additional tool accessories. The tool holder secures the tool and accessories in place by means of a flap that is held closed by a Velcro strip. The holder is configured to be carried by means of a spring clip that attaches to the user's belt.

In another example, a hanger attachment for use with a knife holder that has an attachment loop to be hung from a trousers' belt includes a support member with a groove for receiving the belt therein. A hook member is detachably mounted on the support member. A scabbard or similar knife holder with an attachment loop may be attached to the hook member.

Another tool holder is designed for suspending a hammer from a user's belt. The head of the hammer is supported by a horizontal planar bracket with a central opening for receiving the hammer handle. The holder can be readily attached to the belt by sliding a mounting element upwardly behind the belt, then downwardly, so that the belt can be received into a retention slot. A reverse procedure is followed to remove the holder from the belt. The holder can be molded or formed out of sheet material or wire stock.

Another tool holder is designed for mounting to a user's clothing article, such as a belt or pants pocket. The tool holder includes first and second support members connected to each other and configured and dimensioned for receiving and hooking around a belt with the first and second support members disposed on opposite sides of the belt. A tool holding member is mounted to one of the support members and is configured for holding a tool. The support members are preferably of an injection-molded material. Also, the support members can be constructed as separate pieces that engage each other.

Further, beltless tool holders have been designed that include a monolithic wedge-shaped portion and a second wire loop portion that extends at a ninety degree angle from the top of the wedge to form an “L” shape when viewed from the side.

However, these approaches and others to designing tool holders all have shortcomings, in that, some holders require the user to wear a belt, some holders provide little to no stability to the tool when carried by the holder such that the tool may move in an uncontrolled and potentially dangerous manner as the user walks, many holders do not adequately protect users when carrying a hand tool that includes a sharp blade, such as an axe, and some holders use nothing but gravity to secure the tool therein. There is a need, therefore, for a tool holder that overcomes the shortcomings of the prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect, a tool holder includes a cradle portion having a first pocket and a second pocket. The first and second pockets are configured to suspend a hand tool by a first end and a second end of a head of the hand tool. The tool holder further includes a locking mechanism adapted to secure the hand tool within the first and the second pockets, a release mechanism adapted to open the locking mechanism to enable a user to lift the head of the hand tool from the cradle portion, and a mount adapted to enable a user to attach the tool holder to a worn item.

According to another aspect, a tool holder includes a cradle portion having a first pocket and a second pocket. The first and second pockets are configured to suspend a hand tool by a first end and a second end of a head of the hand tool. The tool holder further includes a locking mechanism adapted to secure the hand tool within the first and the second pockets, a release mechanism adapted to open the locking mechanism to enable a user to lift the head of the hand tool from the cradle portion, and a paddle adapted to enable a user to attach the tool holder to a worn item.

According to a further aspect, a tool holder includes a cradle portion having a first pocket and a second pocket. The first and second pockets are configured to suspend a hand tool by a first end and a second end of a head of the hand tool. The tool holder further includes a flap adapted to secure the hand tool within the first and the second pockets, a strap adapted to open the flap to enable a user to lift the head of the hand tool from the cradle portion, and a mount adapted to enable a user to attach the tool holder to a worn item.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent upon reading the following detailed description and upon reference to the drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a front, top, right isometric view of a first embodiment of a tool holder;

FIG. 2 is a front, top, elevational view of the tool holder of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a rear elevational view of the tool holder of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a top, left, side elevational view of the tool holder of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a front elevational view of another embodiment of a tool holder similar to that of FIG. 1, with an exemplary tool shown partially;

FIG. 6 is a front, top, right isometric view of another embodiment of a tool holder;

FIG. 7 is a front, top, elevational view of the tool holder of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a top, left, side elevational view of the tool holder of FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is a front, top, right isometric view of a further embodiment of a tool holder;

FIG. 10 is a front, top, elevational view of the tool holder of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a top, left, side elevational view of the tool holder of FIG. 9;

FIG. 12 is a front, top, right isometric view of a further embodiment of a tool holder;

FIG. 13 is a front, top, elevational view of the tool holder of FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a top, left, side elevational view of the tool holder of FIG. 12;

FIG. 15 is a front elevational view of another embodiment of a tool holder;

FIG. 16 is a front elevational view of the tool holder of FIG. 15 with a partial view of a hand tool carried therein;

FIG. 17 is a front elevational view of another embodiment of a tool holder with a partial view of a hand tool carried therein; and

FIG. 18 is a rear elevational view of the tool holder of FIG. 17.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As depicted in FIGS. 1-18, a tool holder 10 of the present disclosure generally includes a cradle 12 attached to a mount 14 by a bridge or hinge 16. The cradle 12 and the mount 14 may be formed from a single piece of material, though they may also be formed separately and then joined together at the bridge or hinge 16. The cradle 12 typically includes a first pocket 18 and a second pocket 20 that are configured to retain a first end 22 and a second end 24, respectively, of a head 26 of a hand tool 28 (see, e.g., FIG. 5). With reference to FIGS. 1-4, each of the first pocket 18 and the second pocket 20 are formed of a bottom wall 30 a and 30 b, respectively, and a side wall 32 a and 32 b, respectively, to form pockets with lateral openings 34 a and 34 b, respectively, that face one another, and a top opening 36 a and 36 b, respectively. The first 18 and second 20 pockets are shaped to accept a specific portion of the head 26 of the hand tool 28, such as a hammer poll, axe blade, hammer claw, and the like. Any shape and size is contemplated for the first 18 and second 20 pockets to accommodate a given tool.

The bottom walls 30 a and 30 b together define a horizontal support surface for the head 26 of the hand tool 28. In this way, the head 26 of the hand tool 28 may be slotted into the first 18 and second 20 pockets from above and supported by the support surface of the first and second pockets. Such an arrangement secures the head 26 of the hand tool 28 within the first 18 and second 20 pockets to minimize movement of the head and handle 38 of the hand tool with respect to the tool holder 10 along horizontal H and vertical V axes (see FIG. 3) of the mount 14. Furthermore, the relatively narrow configuration of the first 18 and second 20 pockets along the lateral axis L of the mount 14 minimizes movement of the tool head 26 and consequently any swinging of the tool handle 38 along the lateral axis L (see FIG. 4).

In one embodiment, the horizontal support surface of the cradle 12 may be angled at an angle a relative to the horizontal axis H of the mount 14 (see FIG. 3), which allows the handle 38 of the hand tool 28 to have an angle β relative to the vertical axis V of the mount when worn by a user. The horizontal support surface of the cradle 12 may be angled in either direction (i.e., α or −α) to accommodate left or right handedness of the user or user preference. For example, the angle a may be about 5°, or about 10°, or about 20°, or about 10 to about 45°, or about 15 to about 30°. In one embodiment, the angle β is equal to the angle a or may differ by about ±10%.

In one embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the tool holder 10 may further include one or more supports 40 spaced between the first 18 and second 20 pockets that add additional support to the tool head 26 when carried within the tool holder. The supports 40 may be in the form of slots into which a bottom surface 42 of the tool head 26 is inserted or a shelf-like protrusions that extend beneath and support the bottom surface of the tool head. The supports 40 may provide greater stability to the tool holder 10 and further restrict horizontal movement along the x axis of the tool head 26.

The tool holder 10 further includes a locking mechanism 44, which in one embodiment may be a latch, a detent, a magnet, a spring-loaded button, or a friction fitting that wedges against a side of the hand tool 28 when slotted into the first 18 and second 20 pockets that secures the tool head 26 within the first 18 and second 20 pockets. In another embodiment, the locking mechanism 44 may include a flap securable with one or more of snaps, a hook and loop fastener, a magnet, a tie, or other mechanism. Contemplated locking mechanisms 44 may also include combinations of these features.

In one embodiment seen in FIGS. 1-14, the locking mechanism 44 includes a latch 46 with a taper on a top side thereof that is pictured in a resting or locked state. The taper of the latch 46 facilitates insertion of the tool head 26 into the tool holder 10 by allowing the tool head to slide past the latch and slot into the first 18 and second 20 pockets. Insertion of the tool head 26 forces the latch 46 into an open or disengaged state (not shown), where the tool head laterally displaces the latch in a direction along the lateral axis L toward the mount 14 to allow the tool head to slot into the first 18 and second 20 pockets. Once the tool head 26 has slid past the latch 46, the latch automatically returns to the resting or locked state to form an interference fit. When a hand tool 28 is held within the tool holder 10, a bottom surface 48 of the latch 46 is disposed above a top surface 50 of the tool head 26 to prevent the hand tool 28 from being lifted out of the first 18 and second 20 pockets (see FIG. 5).

A release mechanism 52 may be used to disengage the locking mechanism 44 to remove the hand tool 28. One particular advantage of contemplated tool holders 10 of the present disclosure is that a hand tool 28 carried therein may be inserted and removed by a user using one hand with a reduced risk of dropping the tool. This is possible, in part, because the hand tool 28 is supported beneath the tool head 26 by the first 18 and second 20 pockets, and the hand tool is removed by lifting up and out of the first and second pockets. Further, as further explained below, the locking mechanisms 44 are located above the top surface 50 of the tool head 26, and the release mechanism 52 is located in close proximity thereto. Therefore, a user wearing the tool holder 10 may reach down to disengage the locking mechanism 44 via the release mechanism 52 and grasp the tool head 26 with one hand, to thereby release and lift the hand tool 28 from the tool holder in one movement. Further embodiments are contemplated where two or more movements are necessary to release and lift the hand tool 28 from the tool holder 10.

In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1-4 and 6-14, the release mechanism 52 includes a lever portion 54 attached to the latch 46 and one or more paddle portions 56 extending from the lever portion. The paddle portions 56 are configured so that may be accessed by a user (e.g., depressed) on one or more sides of the handle 38 of a hand tool 28 secured in the tool holder 10. To disengage the locking mechanism 44, a user depresses one or more of the paddle portions 56 laterally along the lateral axis L toward the mount 14, which similarly displaces the lever portion 54 and latch 46. By so doing, the bottom surface 48 of the latch 46 is no longer disposed above the top surface 50 of the tool head 26, and the hand tool 28 may be removed from the tool holder 10.

In another embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the latch 46 may be a spring-loaded button 46 a seated within a pocket 58 and laterally displaceable along the z axis. In this way, the hand tool 28 may be slotted into the first 18 and second 20 pockets as described above by displacing the button 46 a with the tool head 26, once the tool head clears the button, it snaps back into placing forming a “snap fit” by means of a spring (not shown). To remove the hand tool 28 from the tool holder 10, the user forces the button 46 a into the pocket 58 to compress the spring and remove the interference caused thereby from the top surface 50 of the tool head 26. The hand tool 28 may then be lifted from the first 18 and second 20 pockets. In this way, the button 46 a forms a combined locking and releasing mechanism.

In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 15-18, the locking mechanism 44 is in the form of a flap 60 that folds downward along fold line F to cover the tool head 26. The flap 60 is securable to the first 18 and second 20 pockets by one or more snaps 62, although a hook and loop fastener, a magnet, a tie, a buckle, combinations thereof, or other mechanism may also be used. The release mechanism in these embodiments is in the form of a strap 52 a that provides greater leverage to the user for disengaging the snaps 62 or other securement means to allow removal of the hand tool 28. When the flap 60 is closed and secured, the strap 52 a may be grasped by a user to apply force in a direction A, generally along the y-axis, to disengage snaps 62 or other securement means and rotate or unfold the flap upward about fold line F to the fully open position show in FIGS. 15-18. The hand tool 28 may then be removed from the tool holder 10.

Tool holders 10 of the present disclosure are adapted to be attached by the mount 14 to an item worn by a user (worn item), such as an item of clothing (a pair of pants, shorts, overalls, coveralls, etc.), or a belt, a harness, a strap, a pocket, a backpack, a tactical pack, such as a MOLLE- or ALICE-type pack, a bag, a belt clip, a belt loop, and the like.

While any mount 14 is envisioned for use with the tool holder 10 of the present disclosure, in the embodiments seen in FIGS. 1-4 and 6-14, the mount 14 includes a paddle 66 configured to enable a user to affix the tool holder 10 to the user's waistline without the need for a belt. The paddle 66 is an improvement over clip-type mounting means which offers little support and may allow the tool holder 10 to be accidentally removed from the waistline while removing the hand tool 28, provides little stability to the hand tool when the user moves, and can be uncomfortable to the wearer.

As seen in FIGS. 4, 8, 11, and 14, the paddle 66 is spaced from the cradle 12 by a gap 68 sized to permit the waist line of a user's clothing to be inserted therein. While this configuration allows for the tool holder 10 to be worn, for example, on the user's hip without a belt, the gap 68 is also sized to permit a user to wear a belt and still be able slip the tool holder over the belt and waistline of clothing (or therebetween) without needing to remove the belt.

Further, as seen in FIG. 3, which is generally illustrative of the paddle 66 configuration, the paddle has a relatively narrow neck portion 70 that spreads to a broad base portion 72. This configuration provides for both a comfortable fit at the waistline (at the neck portion 70), as well as a stable mounting due to the broad base portion 72, which limits the tool holder from rotating about an axis parallel with the z axis and generally on the plane defined by the vertical V and horizontal H axes. Furthermore, the paddle 66 has a generally concave configuration, as seen, for example, in FIG. 4, that generally follows the contour of a user's leg for greater comfort and a more stable fit.

In the embodiments seen in FIGS. 15-18, the mount 14 includes a belt loop 74 (see FIG. 18) attached to a back portion of the tool holder 10. The belt loop 74 may be made of a single piece of material, such as plastic, canvas, cloth, and the like. In another embodiment, the belt loop 74 may be made of complementary first 76 and second 78 portions of a hook and loop fastener to allow a user to attach the tool holder 10 to a belt (or other item) without removing the belt.

Tool holders 10 of the present disclosure may be made of any suitable material. Examples of suitable materials include cloth, canvas, durable plastics such as KYDEX®, rubber, metal, leather, a polymer, and combinations thereof. In one embodiment, a tool holder 10 is made from a canvas exterior and a puncture resistant plastic or leather interior that can serve as a sheath for a blade portion of a tool to protect a user from the blade. Tool holders 10 contemplated herein may also be made by any suitable means, including extruding, heat welding, sewing, riveting, printing, molding, and the like.

Further, the tool holders 10 may incorporate features to facilitate removal of the tool head 26 therefrom. For example, as seen in FIG. 18, the tool holder 10 may include one or more raised surfaces 80 in an interior of the cradle 12, that may be formed by grommets, rivets, snaps, and the like, that serve to reduce the friction of the tool head 26 against the material of the cradle 12 and mount 14. In this way, a user may more readily pull the tool head 26 from the tool holder 10. Moreover, the addition of raise surfaces 80 with an aperture 82 therethrough, such as a grommet, may provide for greater air flow into an interior of the tool holder 10.

The tool holders 10 contemplated herein may also be used for any tool that can be conveniently carried on a user's person and therefore varied in size and proportion as appropriate to accommodate a given tool. For example, the tool holders 10 may be used for hammers, hatches, axes, picks, knives, and other tools, including powered hand tools. An example of a hatchet or axe tool holder 10 contemplated herein can be seen in FIGS. 1-8 and 15-18. An example of a claw hammer tool holder 10 contemplated herein can be seen in FIGS. 9-11. An example of a rock pick tool holder 10 contemplated herein can be seen in FIGS. 12-14. However, any configuration is contemplated to accommodate a desired tool.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The tool holders described herein provide improved tool stability, improved user protection from the tool, and greater ease of access to the tool when carried by a user.

Numerous modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of the foregoing description. Accordingly, this description is to be construed as illustrative only and is presented for the purpose of enabling those skilled in the art to make and use the invention and to teach the best mode of carrying out same. The exclusive rights to all modifications which come within the scope of the application are reserved. All patents and publications are incorporated by reference. All values and ratios disclosed herein may vary by ±10%, ±20%, or ±40%. 

We claim:
 1. A tool holder, comprising: a cradle portion comprising a first pocket and a second pocket, the first and the second pockets being configured to suspend a hand tool by a first end and a second end of a head of the hand tool; a locking mechanism adapted to secure the hand tool within the first and the second pockets; a release mechanism adapted to open the locking mechanism to enable a user to lift the head of the hand tool from the cradle portion; and a mount adapted to enable a user to attach the tool holder to a worn item.
 2. The tool holder of claim 1, wherein the first pocket comprises a first lateral opening and the second pocket comprises a second lateral opening, and wherein the first lateral opening and the second lateral opening face one another.
 3. The tool holder of claim 1, wherein the locking mechanism comprises a latch, a detent, a magnet, a spring-loaded button, a friction fitting, or a flap.
 4. The tool holder of claim 3, wherein the locking mechanism comprises a flap.
 5. The tool holder of claim 4, wherein the flap is securable with one or more of a snap, a hook and loop fastener, a magnet, and a tie.
 6. The tool holder of claim 5, wherein the release mechanism comprises a strap attached to the flap.
 7. The tool holder of claim 3, wherein the locking mechanism comprises a latch.
 8. The tool holder of claim 3, wherein the locking mechanism forms an interference fit with a top surface of the hand tool.
 9. The tool holder of claim 3, wherein the locking mechanism forms a snap fit.
 10. The tool holder of claim 7, wherein the latch is adapted to automatically secure a hand tool within the tool holder when the hand tool is inserted therein.
 11. The tool holder of claim 7, wherein the release mechanism comprises a lever attached to the latch.
 12. The tool holder of claim 11, wherein the release mechanism comprises a paddle portion.
 13. The tool holder of claim 1, wherein the mount comprises at least one of a paddle or a belt loop.
 14. The tool holder of claim 1, wherein the tool holder is configured to allow a user to remove a hand tool carried therein using one hand.
 15. The tool holder of claim 1, wherein the tool holder is configured to allow a user to secure a hand tool within the tool holder using one hand.
 16. The tool holder of claim 1 further comprising one or more supports spaced between the first and second pockets.
 17. The tool holder of claim 1, wherein a supporting surface of the cradle has an angle relative to a horizontal axis H of the mount of about 10° to about 45°.
 18. The tool holder of claim 17, wherein a handle of a hand tool carried in the tool holder has an angle relative to a vertical axis V of the mount of about 10° to about 45°.
 19. A tool holder, comprising: a cradle portion comprising a first pocket and a second pocket, the first and the second pockets being configured to suspend a hand tool by a first end and a second end of a head of the hand tool; a locking mechanism adapted to secure the hand tool within the first and the second pockets; a release mechanism adapted to open the locking mechanism to enable a user to lift the head of the hand tool from the cradle portion; and a paddle adapted to enable a user to attach the tool holder to a worn item.
 20. A tool holder, comprising: a cradle portion comprising a first pocket and a second pocket, the first and the second pockets being configured to suspend a hand tool by a first end and a second end of a head of the hand tool; a flap adapted to secure the hand tool within the first and the second pockets; a strap adapted to open the flap to enable a user to lift the head of the hand tool from the cradle portion; and a mount adapted to enable a user to attach the tool holder to a worn item. 